Santa and Ms. Claus make their way from the Santa House to the courthouse veranda to light the Christmas tree on the square. A vast crowd helped by counting down from 10 to 1.
The downtown square had people everywhere hours before, during and after the traditional lighting of the Christmas tree on the square during Light Up Ellijay last Friday.
Even the snowmen along Broad Street during Light Up Ellijay were freezing with temps in the low 40s and high 30s last Friday afternoon.
Tatum and Austin Chastain and their daughter, Juno, of Ellijay, walk through the illuminated Christmas bulb in front of the Gilmer Chamber Welcome Center during Light Up Ellijay. Mom and Dad appear to have divided loyalties before the kickoff of the state’s hottest football rivalry, Georgia Tech vs. Georgia, played Friday night.
River Street and the south side of the Ellijay square, and all of downtown, are dazzling with or without a Christmas festival and are drawing hundreds of tourists every day.
The Santa House was a popular venue during Light Up Ellijay, with the purchase of photos with Santa and Ms. Claus benefiting Friends of Gilmer Animal Shelter.
Festivalgoers take advantage of rockers and a bench in front of Beds Etc. on the square to take a break from all the activity.
